TWO FISHERMEN ARRESTED FOR ENGAGING IN ILLEGAL FISHING OFF NAYARU

A SUCCESSFUL NAVAL OPERATION CONDUCTED BY SRI LANKA NAVY ON 16 JUNE 2025 LED TO THE ARREST OF TWO INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN ILLEGAL FISHING ACTIVITIES APPROXIMATELY 1.8 NAUTICAL MILES OFF NAYARU.

CEDRIC CRAFTS Z 105 AND Z 230 BELONGS TO RABS DEPLOYED FROM ND NAYARU UNDER SLNS GOTABAYA, TOGETHER WITH BASE STAFF IN LIAISON WITH ADF (MULLAITIVU), INTERCEPTED AND APPREHENDED THE SUSPECTS ALONG WITH TWO FGDS WHILST ENGAGING IN ILLEGAL FISHING USING LIGHT-COARSE.

THE ARRESTED INDIVIDUALS WERE IDENTIFIED AS NEHAL SUNIMAL FERNANDO (56), A RESIDENT OF K75, KOKILAI, MULLAITIVU, AND KS NIMAL AJITH, RESIDENT OF 85/26, MUTHTHIYANKARAI, NEGOMBO. ITEMS SEIZED INCLUDED TWO FGDS, OBMS (SUZUKI 25HP), LED LIGHTS, BATTERIES, ANCHORS, APPROXIMATELY 50 LITRES OF KEROSENE, 3.5 LITRES OF PETROL, AND OTHER FISHING-RELATED EQUIPMENT.

THE SUSPECTS AND APPREHENDED ITEMS WERE HANDED OVER TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES, MULLAITIVU, FOR FURTHER LEGAL INVESTIGATION.